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Author Topic: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa  (Read 2351 times)

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Offline Phill

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Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 05:18:02 AM »
Hi guys,

thought I'd say hello as I think I'll be asking quite a few questions over the coming months/years.

I've always been into cars, thanks to my dad. I've had loads of interesting bits and pieces including a TVR Chimaera and two Lotus Elise's.

Back when my dad was in his 20's he owned a metallic blue Series 1 Lotus Europa. He often talks about the car and I've been wanting to restore something classic for a little while, so as his 70th birthday is just around the corner, I bit the bullet and I have purchased a 1973 Series 2 Lotus Europa from the States.

My plan is to give it to him for his birthday and then spend some time with him restoring it. The car in question is currently a poo-brown colour with some aweful pin striping (some of you may have seen it on eBay recently) but it was originally Lagoon Blue which is about as close as I could find to my dad's original car.

I'm hoping to restore it to a nice useable car, in it's original colour and convert it to right hand drive during the process.
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Offline Lotus supplies

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 05:22:01 AM »
 :Welcome: Hi phil good luck with the build
« Last Edit: Thursday,April 23, 2020, 01:18:38 PM by LotusJoe »
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Offline Certified Lotus

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 05:56:01 AM »
 :Welcome:  Your a wonderful son to buy a car to bring your Dad’s memories to life.

Great group of guys on this forum who were invaluable to me in my own frame off restoration.

I’m guessing you bought Ted’s Europa?
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Offline lotusfanatic

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 06:47:27 AM »
Hello Phill,

 :Welcome:

that's a great project, you will no doubt have plenty of fun restoring the car together!

Mark 

   

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Offline BDA

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 06:53:14 AM »
 :Welcome: Phill!!

What a nice story! Give our regards to your dad!

I think I know the car you mean. I believe it's a TC Special.

We look forward to all your questions. Certified Lotus has a thread that details his body off restoration that will probably prove helpful as well. We certainly don't want to dissuade you from starting your own restoration thread!
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Offline E Paul

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 06:55:34 AM »
If you ever need to see an assembled car, I am in Duxbury. Look forward to seeing yours on the road.
Paul
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Offline surfguitar58

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 07:52:05 AM »
 :Welcome: Phill!
If the car you purchased is the one I think it is, the guy you bought it from is a regular contributor to this forum and a knowledgeable Lotus addict. Lots of great knowledge and advice here. Really helped me a lot with my TCS. Post some pics when you get a chance. Assuming you are referring to the Swansea in Wales, are you planning to convert to RHD? Not all that hard to do, if I understand the process correctly.

Cheers,
Tom 

Edit: Just re-read and see you already addressed the RHD issue.
« Last Edit: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 07:54:34 AM by surfguitar58 »
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"A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."
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Offline Bainford

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 08:23:41 AM »
Welcome  to the forum, Phil. This is the right place to get your Europa whipped into shape. Speaking of which, I believe your Europa is a Twin Cam Special, rather than an S2. Good luck with the restoration. Cheers  :beerchug:
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The Twin Cam plays the symphony whilst my right foot conducts the orchestra. At 3800 rpm the Mad Pipe Organ joins in.

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Offline dakazman

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 10:59:03 AM »
 :Welcome:

  Mr Phill .
  It’s all ready a great story! Nothing bonds better than a fiberglass car and the metallic blue is a nice color. When might you have it in your possession so you can post some pics?
Dakazman
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Offline 4129R

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 11:11:07 AM »
I changed tawny brown to Lagoon Blue too on 3089R.

If you want to know how to convert to RHD, I have done 7.

I used CF Rinkens to ship mine over. If it moves under its own power, a RORO ferry ends up at Southampton, otherwise it has to come in a container.

Alex in Norfolk. 
« Last Edit: Tuesday,February 25, 2020, 11:15:05 AM by 4129R »
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Offline Phill

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #10 on: Friday,February 28, 2020, 09:38:00 AM »
Hi guys,

many thanks for the warm welcome and offers of advice.

I can confirm I have purchased Ted's car. We are doing our best to get the car on a ship that leaves New York on the 9th of March which means it should arrive in Southampton 30 days later.

Once I have it in my possession I'll get a couple of pictures taken and I'll start an appropriate thread.

I'm really quite excited at the thought of getting stuck into it.
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Offline BDA

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #11 on: Friday,February 28, 2020, 10:00:31 AM »
Thirty days! Can you wait that long?!  :)
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Offline Phill

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday,March 25, 2020, 07:55:18 AM »
Quick update - I've had an email from the shipping company today to say it should arrive on the 4th of April!

I hope the current situation with the virus doesn't stop me collecting it! lol
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Offline BDA

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday,March 25, 2020, 07:57:26 AM »
I hope so too!
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Offline 4129R

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Re: Just bought a 1973 Lotus Europa
« Reply #14 on: Wednesday,March 25, 2020, 11:21:27 AM »
Quote from: Phill on Wednesday,March 25, 2020, 07:55:18 AM
I hope the current situation with the virus doesn't stop me collecting it! lol

By then the Severn Bridge will have patrols stopping crossings.

I collected 4129R from Southampton docks. It looked very small among about 5,000 "Minis" being exported.

Minis are not mini any more.
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